ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 33
| Accident Type: |
Electrocution |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Cold and Rainy |
| Type of Operation: |
Geothermal Engineering Core Sampling |
| Size of Work Crew: |
3 |
| Collective Bargaining |
No |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
Yes |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
Yes |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
Yes |
| Employee Job Title: |
Core Samplers |
| Age & Sex: |
27-Male; 27-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
2 Days |
| Time on Project: |
2 Days |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Three employees were taking earth samples using a core sampling rig with a 22 foot high tower. As they removed the sampling rod, the rod struck a 4160 volt electrical power line directly above the work area. The employee handling the sampling rod and the employee handling a guy wire attached to the sampling rod were electrocuted, while the third employee who also was handling the sampling rod was severely shocked.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Following its inspection, OSHA cited the employer for one alleged serious violation of the agency's construction standards dealing with working too close to power lines. OSHA's construction safety standards include several requirements which, if they had been followed here, might have prevented these fatalities.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Instruct each employee to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions which apply to the work and work areas 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
- Do not operate equipment within ten feet of electrical distribution or transmission lines rated 50 KV or less unless
- the line has been de-energized and visibly grounded at the point of work or
- insulating barriers, which are not a part of or attached to the equipment, have been erected to prevent physical contact with the line 29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6))
SOURCES OF HELP
- Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations (1926 and 1910) covering construction.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services. Consult your telephone directory for the number of your local OSHA area or regional office for further assistance and advice (listed under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs.
- OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for construction (available from the National Technical Information Service - Order No. PB-239-312/AS) comprised of a set of 15 guidelines to help construction employees establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job.
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
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